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Diablo 4 is just about to release for everyone, and after blasting through the Early Access I've been thoroughly impressed by how it runs on Steam Deck and desktop Linux.

Firstly, if you need to know how to install Battle Net on either Steam Deck or desktop Linux, I've covered multiple ways before. You can install it directly using Proton (no need for GE-Proton now though, just Proton Experimental is fine) or you can use the newer way with the NonSteamLauncher script. You could also try it through Lutris.

By default it will give you Low details but if you bump it up to Medium a little, lock it to 40FPS and turn on FSR 2 quality, you get a game that looks good and performs to a consistent level. Their FSR 2 implementation seems to be pretty great, and the reduced power drain will let you play for longer.

Here's a video and some thoughts on Steam Deck along with my settings:

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Overall, it's an impressive show for performance and a lot of fun to play through. Nice to see another huge release working nearly to perfection on Steam Deck.

Naturally I've been testing it on desktop Linux too where it also works. One issue I did have, was opening the map for the first time on desktop caused the game to lock up. Reloading and this wasn't a problem. Through repeated testing, it only seemed to happen the very first time. Apart from that, everything else on desktop with my NVIDIA 2080 Ti works as expected and I've been seeing over 100FPS at 2560x1440 in busy town areas, and much higher out in the open world. Overall, it seems to be great.

Pictured - Diablo 4 on Fedora KDE 38

Are you going to pick up Diablo 4? Or have you been playing during Early Access? Let me know in the comments your thoughts on the latest in the series.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly.
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26 comments
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rustybroomhandle Jun 5, 2023
A thing I have noticed about Battle.net is that when you are prompted to log in on Steam Deck, it actually opens the on-screen keyboard automatically when you focus the boxes. And the user/pass boxes actually nudge up to be above the keyboard. This is significant, because as far as I know, this is something that an application has to initiate manually by using Steamworks, not some happy crossover of standards or something.

Sorry for the bad phone picture, but this is what I mean. Someone at Blizz had to make this happen on purpose.




Last edited by rustybroomhandle on 5 June 2023 at 6:04 pm UTC
Kimyrielle Jun 5, 2023
Great to see a game running on Linux that's certainly going to become a big hit. Personally, I am not going to get it. I don't own a single Blizzard game, so there is that. I just don't like that company and their business practices.
itscalledreality Jun 5, 2023
Quoting: KimyrielleGreat to see a game running on Linux that's certainly going to become a big hit. Personally, I am not going to get it. I don't own a single Blizzard game, so there is that. I just don't like that company and their business practices.

The amount of double speak across the coverage side of Activision-Blizzard is incredible but hardly surprising considering the history of video games. Doesn't mean it isn't disgusting though.
Avehicle7887 Jun 5, 2023
Also in recent Diablo news - DevilutionX for Diablo 1 is almost about ready to get a new release - https://github.com/diasurgical/devilutionX/milestone/8
StalePopcorn Jun 5, 2023
Awesome! Something to look forward to upon returning from vacation!
Mountain Man Jun 6, 2023
I enjoyed the few hours I played in the beta, but $70 is a lot to ask for a game.
slaapliedje Jun 6, 2023
Quoting: KimyrielleGreat to see a game running on Linux that's certainly going to become a big hit. Personally, I am not going to get it. I don't own a single Blizzard game, so there is that. I just don't like that company and their business practices.
I bought the Blizzard pack on the PS store for Rock N Roll Racing. Otherwise I agree. Diablo 3 was boring for me, and I do not intend to buy Diablo 4.
Purple Library Guy Jun 6, 2023
Quoting: Mountain ManI enjoyed the few hours I played in the beta, but $70 is a lot to ask for a game.
$70. Seven zero. And we're not talking Australian dollars here, are we? Damn.
MayeulC Jun 6, 2023
Quoting: KimyrielleGreat to see a game running on Linux that's certainly going to become a big hit. Personally, I am not going to get it. I don't own a single Blizzard game, so there is that. I just don't like that company and their business practices.

Seconded :)

How does Victor Vran compares with Diablo, BTW? I played a bit of both, and they felt pretty similar.
Atom Jun 6, 2023
You also can have a solid 40fps on high preset without fsr !
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